I wiped the crow's blood off my face and my strange vision immediately disappeared. "You just said you want me to cooperate,” I turned to Zhang Jiulin. “How?"

"Let me keep that a secret for the time being,” he chuckled. “But I can guarantee you won’t encounter any danger. Where do you think we should go to draw the Heartbroken Xun to us?"

"According to your theory of Yin and Yang energy, isn’t it best we head to the place in Nanjiang City with the densest Yang energy?"

"That would be a big mistake,” laughed Zhang Jiulin. “The murderer wouldn’t dare show up. The place I’m looking for cannot have too much Yin or Yang energy. At the same time, it must be away from civilians and be convenient for ambushes."

"The Armed Police Training Base!” blurted Xiaotao. “There’s no one there at night and snipers can easily hide for an ambush."

"Yes, sounds perfect!" I agreed.

After a brief conversation with Director-General Cheng, we instructed the officers guarding him to release him and asked him to meet us at the Armed Police Training Base. Zhang Jiulin also needed a few officers with heavy Yang energy. Naturally, Wang Yuanchao fell in that category.

Zhang Jiulin woke up the unconscious officers. Those badly injured were sent to the hospital while the others tagged along with us.

Upon entering the vehicle, Xiaotao asked, "Jiu-ge, can you communicate with spirits?"

"Under normal circumstances, yes," he replied.

"If you teach Song Yang this skill, won’t solving crimes be as easy as ABC?" she said, looking at me.

“No!” I motioned with my hand repeatedly, "Bodies do not lie, but spirits, whether alive or dead will always speak in their favor which will only mislead our investigation. I’d rather use the methods that my ancestors have handed down. There’s no need to gild the lily."

Zhang Jiulin turned to me with a look of respect and asked about my ancestors.

After passing the bureau, Xiaotao bought some food and drinks at a convenience store. This case had us running round the clock, and with my usual level of physical activity, I was already exhausted. My physical strength couldn’t keep up with the agenda but Zhang Jiulin seemed perfectly at ease. He attributed it to habit and routine.

I had originally planned on snatching up the Yin object at the last minute but Zhang Jiulin’s sincere assistance made my intentions seem almost despicable. "There’s something I must tell you. The Heartbroken Xun is too dangerous so I have to destroy it on the spot. For compensation, I’ll give you ten million yuan. The bureau has already approved it."

"Money doesn't mean much to me,” said Zhang Jiulin, arching his brow. “I have to get the Yin object otherwise I won't be able to explain it to my client."

"If you sell it, won’t it bring about another tragedy?” I reasoned. “This time, both of us are here to stop it. But who will be there next time?"

"Your compassion is laudable,” he smiled. “And I mean absolutely no sarcasm when I say this, but I think you’re a little prejudiced regarding my profession."

He explained in detail that Yin merchants never sell dangerous Yin objects but only after removing the evil spirit attached to them. Though the objects retained some special functions, they couldn’t cause any harm again.

He also cited a few transactions with several well-known, successful entrepreneurs and celebrities in China. Although they might experience negative effects, it was inconsequential compared to the success the Yin object brought them.

Yin objects were equivalent to converters of fortune, turning vitality into fortune without affecting karma. It was merely a different path, and some were willing to live a few years less for success and riches.

His words drew skepticism from me. "The Heartbroken Xun, a murder weapon, can actually do good?"

"If properly applied, it can even save lives,” he replied enigmatically. “It will never kill another after passing through these hands. I’ll stake my reputation on this."

I was a little convinced by him, but I was a little uneasy. Finally, I solemnly said, "If I hear any strange suicide cases sometime in the future and prove they’re related to Heartbroken Xun, I’ve something in my hands that can send both you and Pockmark Li to jail!"

"You’re really not as simple as you look!” he frowned. “But from our short time together, I’m convinced by your character. I promise!"

The card I had up my sleeves was Pockmark Li's ex-wife, Ru Xue's mysterious disappearance, which I had discovered through the Wuhan police. The strange thing was, his ex-wife's parents didn’t report her disappearance but left with Pockmark Li's daughter. My intuition told me there was more to the matter than meets the eye.

As men of the Jianghu, it wasn’t surprising if their hands were stained with blood. In fact, I was positive Zhang Jiulin had killed before. The auras of those with lives on their hands were distinct from the rest.

We soon arrived at the Armed Police Training Base that was located on a hill in the suburbs. It was a large compound with several buildings. Every year, the new recruits would be sent here to receive nightmarish training, even undergoing special tests. Apparently, trainees would be attacked in the middle of the night, kidnapped and tortured for information to test their loyalty.

This might be a rumor, but the armed police did undergo gruelling training which produced a passing rate of only 60%. At this thought, I was filled with admiration for Wang Yuanchao, who was once the chief instructor of the armed police.

When we arrived, Wang Yuanchao and Director-General Cheng were already waiting for us.

Wang Yuanchao knew the place like the back of his hand, even more so than his own home. He flipped the circuit breaker and arranged a few rooms for us to rest and recuperate. As soon as I lay down on the bed, sleepiness overwhelmed me. I slapped my cheeks in an attempt to drive the drowsiness away.

The officers smoked to combat the lethargy, filling the room with the stench of cigarettes.

"Ugh, these heavy smokers!” grumbled Xiaotao. “Let's go out and get some air!"

Amid the sparse stars that dotted the night sky was the warm milky glow of the moon. A gentle breeze caressed my skin. Xiaotao's shirt was covered with large blood stains that I had left during the attack earlier. “I’ve soiled your shirt,” I said apologetically. “I'll buy you a new one."

"This shirt cost me a lot. You can't just replace it with a new one,” she teased. “You have to accompany me to the movies, go shopping and have dinner..."

"And a night in a hotel?" I picked up where she left off.

"You wish!" she playfully hit me. "You’re becoming more and more wicked!"

"No, no!” I quickly denied. “My heart is still very pure."

I sat on the training equipment with Xiaotao joining me. We quietly appreciated the moon, filling the silence with useless chatter.

"The moon is so round tonight!"

"Yes, why is it so round?"

I could feel her red-hot cheeks against my skin. Nervousness welled inside of me. Since that last kiss, neither of us mentioned it again and we hadn’t had the chance to be alone together.

Despite how boldly she portrayed herself to be, Xiaotao was after all a girl with no romantic experience. She was very reserved about her first kiss, and so was I.

As we sat next to each other in silence, wanton thoughts started to fill my head. I slowly placed my arm around Xiaotao’s shoulders, trying to embrace her.

"Song Yang, do you feel tired sometimes?" she asked, suddenly turning around.

"Not at all,” I replied. “All my exhaustion is swept away when I see you."

"Aren’t you a honey-mouthed sweet talker?" she smiled shyly.

My heart was beating like a drum, but I feigned calmness on the surface. "Would you like a taste then?"

Xiaotao leaned in, her warm breath brushing against my chin. Just as our lips were about to meet, plaintive music filled the empty training grounds...